Sherman
1952–1954 · 10k Yellow Gold Filled · Manual Wind
About the Sherman
Made from 1952 through 1954, the Sherman is a small rectangular dress watch built on Hamilton's caliber 753, a 19-jewel manual wind movement well suited to the slim proportions of the case. The case is 10K yellow Gold Filled with hooded lugs, measuring 23mm wide and 28mm long, a modest footprint that was common for men's dress watches of the early 1950s. The Sherman shares its name and era with close relatives the Sherwood and Sheryl, a cluster of similarly styled rectangular models from Hamilton's lineup at the time. What sets the Sherman apart visually is its two-toned dial with applied gold numerals at 3, 9, and 12, applied gold markers, and diamond indices filling out the rest of the hour positions.
Finding a Sherman in good shape means paying close attention to the dial, because two-toned dials from this period are prone to moisture damage and uneven aging that can look subtle in photos but is obvious in hand. The applied gold numerals and diamond indices are small and delicate, and any that are missing or shifted will be difficult to source correctly.
From the Catalog
Hamilton listed the Sherman in 1953 at $71.50, describing it as available in natural or white gold-filled with an alligator strap and 19 jewels. The dial was specified with sterling silver construction and 18K gold numerals and squares, rhodium plated on white models.
Hamilton Catalog Images
1953
What to Look For
| Dial | Two-toned dials from the early 1950s are vulnerable to moisture intrusion and uneven aging. Look for separation or discoloration between the two zones, and check that the applied gold numerals and diamond indices are all present and sitting flat. Missing indices are hard to replace correctly. |
| Crystal | The crystal on this case shape is typically a formed acrylic. Deep scratches in acrylic can be polished out, but a cracked or chipped crystal needs replacement. Check the fit at the bezel edge too, a poorly fitting crystal can let in dust or moisture. |
| Movement | The caliber 753 is a compact 12/0-size movement. Dried oil in a movement this old creates enough friction to stop it entirely, so ask whether it has been recently serviced. A watch that runs but runs poorly is often telling you the lubricants are gone. |
| Case | Check for plating wear or brass showing through in those spots. Light wear is expected; heavy wear through the plating is harder to address. |
| Crown | Check that the crown winds smoothly and sets the hands without slipping or grinding. On a watch this old, a crown that feels gritty or loose may signal a worn stem or setting mechanism that needs attention before regular use. |
The Movement
The caliber 753 is a 19-jewel manual wind movement from Hamilton's 12/0-size family, designed to fit the narrow rectangular cases popular in mid-century dress watches. It winds and sets through a conventional crown, with a subseconds dial running off the fourth wheel. Nineteen jewels places it at the higher end of Hamilton's manual wind lineup for this era, with jewels at the friction points that matter most for longevity.